Due to rapid technological progress, economic integration and electrification we have the means to drastically reduce poverty by the end of the century. However, in order to maintain these economic advances, policy makers and engineers must find a way to protect agriculture from the twin challenge of degrading aquifers and climate change. Otherwise, civil unrest which are often associated with increases in food prices will reverse any gain.

We hear a lot of chatter about banks that are Too Big to Fail or even Too Big Too Save. This article challenges readers to see financial institutions not as one entity, but as firms that have many business lines, with some being more important than others. It makes the case for letting financial institutions fail, but to protect Systematically Important but Compromised Contracts (SICC) in order to save money while ridding the financial system of poorly performing assets.

New Tech City is essential to understand how new technologies are reshaping the economy and society. It is neither the typical technology podcast that describes in endless detail the latest Apple products, nor an academic discussion on the inner workings of the economy. The producers of WNYC just present compelling stories about how technology is changing our lives for better and for worse.

Hipster culture is the laboratory of capitalism and the driver of consumerism. In order for consumers to keep spending, firms have to constantly deliver new products. By striving for non-conformity and uniqueness, hipsters take on the critical role of searching for the latest "must-have" products.

Since the reunification, Hong Kong has been a thorn in China's side. Due to Hong Kong's strong-mindedness, the superpower has already been forced to back away from plans to curb free speech and undertake education reforms. Malaysia was forced to let go of Singapore, China will one day be forced to do the same with Hong Kong.